Martin Ferris TD critical of delay in GLAS scheme

Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Agriculture, Martin Ferris TD, has called for some compensation to farmers for another delay in the start of the GLAS scheme. This was to substitute REPS, for which there has been no replacement this year at all.

Deputy Ferris said:

“We were told that GLAS would start in January 2015, but now the Minister says that first payments are not expected until the end of 2015 and some farmers will have to wait until early 2016.

“The lack of a replacement for REPS hit the more vulnerable farmers hard and asking them to wait for another 18 months before any GLAS payments come through will be too much for some.

“The application process is not to start until December, but that is pending approval by the EU commission of the Rural Development Programme, so there is no guarantee that it will start on time.

“Does the Minister not understand how so many farmers are fighting for survival and need some support now?”